Sightseeing
A bohemian mix of modern buildings, ancient temples, shopping malls and beautiful parks adorn the city. Allow the city to grow on you as you venture through the crowded streets.
Colombo is the capital city of Sri Lanka, and houses a population of 647,100 people. Ancient architecture sprawls across the city, whilst colourful colonial buildings, skyscrapers, and shopping malls bring the city back to the modern day era. Colombo is busy and vibrant, whilst offering a magnificent blend to the backdrop of history and a modern-day evolution.
Cheap flights to Colombo are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to be captivated by this beautiful city. Colombo is home to the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is a pleasant 50-minute drive from the city center. Bandaranaike International Airport serves a multitude of airlines - including Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airways. Popular international flights departure from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Colombo is approximately 15 hours and 20 minutes.
Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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A bohemian mix of modern buildings, ancient temples, shopping malls and beautiful parks adorn the city. Allow the city to grow on you as you venture through the crowded streets.
Known for its regional diversity, kaleidoscope of buildings and ancient shrines that hug the city in an immaculate way – you’ll feel as though you are in paradise.
An authentic Sri Lankan meal usually consists of a generous portion of crisp poppadum or dry fish, curry, and traditional island sweetmeats served on a warm bed of rice.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Country | Sri Lanka |
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Currency | Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) |
Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 11.669 LKR |
Language | English, Sinhala |
Hub Airport | Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) |
Airline | Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airways |
Time Zone | GMT + 5 |
Travel Adaptor | Type D & G |
Colombo is a year-round destination, with two monsoon seasons, so careful planning is essential. The best time to visit is during the beach season, which spans January to April. The city basks in sunshine and is relatively dry throughout. The temperatures are warm and lovely, although just a touch cooler up in the hills. From May through to June, the south-west monsoon blows throughout the city. It is also the gentler of the two monsoons that Sri-Lanka experiences, with mainly short and sharp showers that tend to pass quickly. From November through December is also a good time to visit as the rains have helped create lush, green landscapes; and fresh foliage can be seen everywhere, making it an exceptionally beautiful time of the year to explore Colombo.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Low (°C) | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 25°C | 26°C | 26°C | 25°C | 25°C | 25°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C |
High (°C) | 31°C | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 31°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C | 30°C |
Rainfall (mm) | 60 | 75 | 130 | 245 | 390 | 185 | 120 | 120 | 245 | 365 | 415 | 175 |
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s capital, as well as its ocean city. Beaches are the ultimate draw card for any traveller coming into the city. When you decide to take a break from the ravishing sun, and you’ve had enough of sunning and relaxing – do head into the capital, you will see a lot more of the Sri Lankan culture.
A kaleidoscope of contemporary buildings and ancient temples lure the traveller with a deep sense of years gone by. The ancient phenomena is like a magnet, and you’ll find it hard to break away from all this city has to offer. On the other hand, fashionable buildings and skyscrapers bring you back to the modern-day era. Once you get pass the sprawling city layout and the crowded city centres, which spill into the streets of Colombo, you’ll find that the city grows on you. The longer you stay, the more you’ll love Colombo.
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